THE stunning flowers of the peony provide the “wow” factor, but some people say they are difficult to grow and take seven years to flower. Incorrect, on both counts.

I have planted peonies that have flowered in their first year and when I replanted them last autumn, after a year in pots when we did an extension, these same ones are now coming into flower.

Peonies (Paeonia species) are a wonderful group of plants ideal for our local climate. They grow in Asia to southern Europe and North America. Plus, many hybrids have parents in different groups.

While peonies have been the subject on this page previously, some readers say they are confused with the different types. To clarify, the two main groups are:

Herbaceous peonies are perennials emerging as a crown from the soil in spring. They flower in mid-to-late spring and are quite happy in full sun or partial shade. They mainly originated from the Chinese Paeonia lactiflora with predominantly white flowers or shades of pink, although hybrid red flowers are now available. At the end of their flowering period and as autumn approaches the leaves die down to ground level. The easiest method of propagation is by dividing the roots.

Tree peonies do not grow as trees but rather are sparsely multi-stemmed shrubs. They are extremely showy plants with bright colours (as pictured here in a Manuka garden). They are usually grafted on to herbaceous peony rootstocks as they do not divide or grow from cuttings easily. The best method is to buy already grafted plants. A combination of tree peonies at the rear of a bed and herbaceous in front will give that real “wow” factor.

READERS have asked me to recommend a good book on herbs. My choice is “The Ultimate Book of Herbs and Herb Gardening” by Jessica Houdret (Lorenz Books). First published in 1999 and currently out of print, I noticed copies available from the Amazon website.

ATTENDING a recent Friends function at the Old Parliament House Rose Gardens, I noticed a huge improvement in the health of its roses. Congratulations to Dennis Dempsey, who is overseeing their care and maintenance, and his team for their excellent work. If you have not visited for a while, I suggest that now is the time.

TOMATOES have been the hot topic this spring. I loved this published letter: “To all investors hurting from shrinking mining sector returns, relief is at hand. Quick, lucrative returns can be had by selling repeated (doomed) tomato seedlings in Canberra from August onwards to keen but foolish TV gardeners”.

Most TV gardening shows or glossy magazines are mainly Sydney/Melbourne based.

All you need to do is read my local advice in this very magazine each week, written especially for Canberra gardeners.

Jottings…

• OVERCOME your reluctance to cut back Chrysanthemums at this time, especially when flower buds are showing. Now is the time to cut back the plant by 50 per cent and again in about six weeks’ time. This will result in compact plants with an explosion of flowers in autumn.

• Now is the time to dig up and move spring bulbs that may have been planted in the wrong place. Store them in an open-net orange bag in a cool dry place such as the garage before replanting in full sun next March/April.

• With the magnificent rain, the weeds will come out so easily. Start at the front and work your way all the way to the back fence. Remember the hare and the tortoise, don’t rush, a small area each day.

• For most spring flowering shrubs, now is the time for that last feed once flowering is over until autumn. Most plants do not put on much growth through the heat of summer. Neutrog Seamungus, an organic combination of seaweed and chook poo is ideal.

• Complete mulching without delay before summer. I recommend Canberra Sand and Gravel’s Canberra Organic Mulch.